Boris Gelfand vs Maxim Matlakov
GM Boris Gelfand (2641) · GM Maxim Matlakov (2599)
Boris Gelfand and Maxim Matlakov have played 12 recorded games against each other, the first in Mar 2016 and the most recent in Sep 2025. Gelfand leads 1 wins to 2 - trailing overall, with 9 draws (25% of the games were decisive). Their most common battleground is the Catalan (2 games). The average game between them lasted 33 moves.
Results by color
| Split | Games | Gelfand | Draws | Matlakov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gelfand with White | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Matlakov with White | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Results by time format
| Format | Games | Gelfand | Draws | Matlakov |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classical | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Blitz | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Rapid | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
Openings in their games
| ECO | Opening | Games | Gelfand | Draws | Matlakov |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E11 | Catalan | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| A20 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A28 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| B30 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D38 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| A07 | Réti Opening: Keres Variation | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| D43 | Slav Defense | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| D45 | Slav Defense | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
All games
| Date | White | Black | Result | Opening | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | Maxim Matlakov | Boris Gelfand | 1/2-1/2 | Sicilian: Rossolimo | FIDE Grand Swiss |
| Sep 2021 | Maxim Matlakov | Boris Gelfand | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | Yasnaya Polyana Tolstoy Memorial |
| Aug 2020 | Boris Gelfand | Maxim Matlakov | 1/2-1/2 | Réti Opening: Keres Variation | 19th PNWCC Online blitz JP |
| May 2020 | Maxim Matlakov | Boris Gelfand | 0-1 | Catalan | 8th PNWCC Online blitz JP |
| Oct 2019 | Maxim Matlakov | Boris Gelfand | 1-0 | Slav Defense | FIDE Chess.com Grand Swiss |
| Sep 2019 | Boris Gelfand | Maxim Matlakov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | FIDE World Cup |
| Sep 2019 | Maxim Matlakov | Boris Gelfand | 1-0 | Semi-Slav Defense | FIDE World Cup |
| Sep 2019 | Boris Gelfand | Maxim Matlakov | 1/2-1/2 | English Opening: Reverse Sicilian | FIDE World Cup |
| Sep 2019 | Maxim Matlakov | Boris Gelfand | 1/2-1/2 | Slav Defense | FIDE World Cup |
| Dec 2018 | Boris Gelfand | Maxim Matlakov | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | Wch Blitz |
| Dec 2018 | Boris Gelfand | Maxim Matlakov | 1/2-1/2 | Catalan | Wch Rapid |
| Mar 2016 | Boris Gelfand | Maxim Matlakov | 1/2-1/2 | Queen's Gambit Declined: Ragozin Defense | 15th Moscow Aeroflot Open A |
Interactive board, all 12 games, opening explorer and engine analysis.
Browse the gamesFrequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head score between Boris Gelfand and Maxim Matlakov?
In 12 recorded games, Boris Gelfand has 1 wins, Maxim Matlakov has 2 wins, and they have drawn 9 times.
How many times have Boris Gelfand and Maxim Matlakov played each other?
Our database records 12 games between them, from Mar 2016 to Sep 2025.
What openings do Boris Gelfand and Maxim Matlakov play against each other?
The most common opening in their games is the Catalan (2 games), followed by the English Opening: Reverse Sicilian (1). The full opening breakdown and every game are on this page.